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EXERCISES 


CLASS   DAY 


t 


CTTTlLrsr    21,    1868. 


CLAREMONT,  N.  H. 

PRINTED    BY    THE    CLAREMONT    MANUFACTURING    COMPANY. 

1868. 


MARSHAL : 
GEORGE  B.  VANDERPOEL, 

NEW   YORK  CITY. 


ORATION 


By  GEORGE   A.  BLANCHARD,  Placerville,  Cal. 


We  stand  to-day  on  the  last  stepping-stone  which  leads 
from  the  portals  of  our  Alma  Mater.  Day  after  to-mor- 
row her  final  "  God  speed"  will  ring  in  our  ears;  we  shall 
then  gather  the  last  handful  of  flowers  which  she  will 
throw  in  our  pathway,  and  turn  our  footsteps  from  her  pleas- 
ant groves  forevermore. 

It  will  mark  an  era  in  the  life  of  each  one  of  us;  not 
one  of  us  can  avoid  the  silent  teaching  of  that  farewell. 

If  we  think  at  all,  and  we  do,  of  the  course  just  com- 
pleted, in  which  our  characters  have  been  silently  molded, 
each  will  sum  it  up  in  something  like  this  :  "  It  has  been 
profitable  to  me"  or  "  comparatively  unprofitable.'7 

To  the  idle  it  has  been  unprofitable — it  has  made  them 
more  idle;  the  diligent  it  has  rewarded  and  made  more  dili- 
gent. And  this  brings  me  to  the  subject  of  what  I  have  to 
say:     The  "  Relation  of  Labor  to  Success." 

I  hold  this  to  be  a  truth,  that  there  is  no  excellence  with- 
out great  labor;  though  this  is  trite,  it  will,  like  a  good 
proverb,  bear  repeating.  For  we  see  every  day  a  growing 
tendency  among  American  youth,  to  despise  that  labor  which 
made  their  fathers  successful,  to  avoid  the  very  means  by 
which  only  they  can  obtain  true  excellence  in  any  depart- 
ment. 

Too  indolent  or  unambitious  to  make  circumstances,  we 
quietly  wait  for  something  to  turn  up,  until  it  does  turn 
up  in  the  shape  of  the  devil  who  will  remove  us  from  an  ex- 
pectant quietude  to  an  unexpected  inquietude. 

I  do  not  wish  to  enter  the  field  so  well  occupied  by  Mr. 


ORATION. 


Carlyle,  and  demonstrate  the  beauty,  or  holiness,  or  dignity 
of  labor,  and  advocate  the  building  of  barns  and  factories  in 
preference  to  armories,  navy-yards  and  gun-boats;  but  to 
speak  of  it  as  a  mean  and  as  an  indispensable  mean  to 
success. 

Were  there  need  of  examples,  I  should  hardly  know 
where  to  begin  to  cite  or  where  to  end;  learned  and  great 
men  from  Newton  and  Descartes  to  Sir  William  Hamilton 
have,  with  as  much  shrewdness  as  modesty,  attributed  their 
discoveries  more  to  application  and  attention  than  to  any 
prerogative  of  genius. 

And  there  are  few  more  dangerous  and  destructive  words 
in  the  dictionary  than  this  word  genius;  it  is  picked  out  by 
every  tyro,  turned  over,  weighed,  and  often  bound  down  to 
fit  the  cramped  and  probably  cracked  condition  of  his  own 
cranium. 

There  is  more  genius  dug  out  of  the  earth  in  the  shape  of 
kerosene  oil,  than  was  ever  born  into  the  world  to  flaunt  for 
a  time  a  dazzling  flame  and  then  go  out,  leaving  a  question- 
able fame,  a  bad  example  and  one  more  to  the  list  of  human 
monstrosities. 

One  good  lamp,  properly  used,  would  be  the  most  prolific 
producer  of  geniuses  yet  devised  ;  a  half  hour  at  a  difficult 
root  is  worth  more  than  all  the  Spanish  chateaus  ever  erected. 

But  to  leave  our  genius  dreamily  gazing  into  future  honor, 
fame  and  position,  which  like  the  ignis  fatuus  rise  to  vanish, 
let  us  follow  our  worthy  knight  of  the  lamp. 

He  fares  sumptuously  every  day  with  the  finest  spirits  of 
ancient  and  modern  times  ;  he  is  not  content  to  feed  his 
immortal  mind  on  the  dry  husks  of  every-day  and  common- 
place twaddle  ;  when  we  are  at  play  he  is  at  work,  and  bye- 
and-bye  when  he  can  afford  to  play  we  cannot  afford  to  show 
our  heads,  for  very  shame. 

Our  embryo  scholar,  too,  finds  pleasures  to  which  those  of 
the  senses  are  but  empty  rattle  in  comparison. 

The  progress  of  knowledge  eradicates  erroneous  notions, 
dissipates  rain  fears  and  vain  imaginations,  destroys  false 
ideas  of  pleasure  and  increases  real  delights.     All  charms  do 


ORATION. 


not  fly  at  mere  touch  of  cold  philosophy,  but  on  the  contrary 
are  enhanced  a  thousand  fold.  With  how  much  more  pleas- 
ure, think  you,  does  the  educated  man  view  the  beauties  of 
nature,  than  the  ignorant  one  ?  How  much  more  is  the 
laborious  man  impressed  with  the  guilt  of  idleness  !  His 
value  to  the  state  is  increased,  his  own  capacities  for  enjoy- 
ment multiplied,  the  holy  cause  of  education  advanced,  and 
all  by  the  expenditure  of  a  little  labor,  without  which  he 
would  have  been,  I  know  not  what,  at  any  rate  a  poor  drone, 
only  fit  to  be  expelled  from  the  busy  hive  of  society.  But 
literary  or  scientific  labor,  to  which  we  intended  more  par- 
ticularly to  confine  ourselves,  is  admirably  calculated  to  be 
a  rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  it.  It  differs  from 
other  departments  in  this,  that  the  scholar  less  frequently 
looks  for  his  reward  in  the  praise  of  the  masses.  He  lives  in 
an  atmosphere  above  the  common  herd  ;  his  consciousness 
pays  him  a  rich  stipend  of  pleasure,  and  he  feels  that  his 
success,  considered  in  no  other  light,  is  well  worth  the  pains 
he  has  taken  to  secure  it.  Jonathan  Edwards  never  had 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws  or  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  con- 
ferred upon  him,  while  they  were  showered  on  scores  of  his 
common-place  contemporaries.  Yet  he  knew  too  well  that 
a  great  intellect,  imagination  and  heart  are  conditions  of 
noble  joy  and  content,  when  free  from  that  extravagant 
desire  of  public  approbation  which  so  often  accompanies 
them.  And  this  only  comforts  the  deserving  in  their  disap- 
pointment, when  they  see  obsequiousness  and  unprincipled 
conformity  rewarded  by  conventional  honors,  for  their  very 
chicanery.  Shall  a  man  of  really  supreme  worth,  fret  at 
being  kept  from  the  titular  recognitions  which  are  usually 
given  to  factitious  claims  of  name  and  position,  and  usually 
withheld  from  men  of  the  greatest  merit  if  they  be  unpopu- 
lar or  obscure  ?  Says  a  recent  writer,  "  Character  and 
experience  of  men  depend  on  the  inmost  modes  of  thought 
and  feeling  they  cherish,  their  favorite  objects  and  kinds  of 
contemplation,  rather  than  upon  the  sociality  or  solitariness 
of  their  outward  habits." 

When  one  labors  for  distinction,  he  receives  in  its  train,  as 


ORATION 


almost  necessary  concomitants,  a  mental  superiority  and 
grasp  which  alone  are  valuable;  he  fits  himself  for  sweet,  sol- 
itary communion  with  his  own  thoughts,  which  may  be  of 
inestimable  service  when  his  personal  liberty  is  abridged  ; 
when  society  frowns  on  him,  he  can  live  in  an  atmosphere 
far  above  it,  where  the  loudest  denunciations  cannot  injure, 
and  where  but  few  kindred  spirits  are  allowed  to  soar. 

I  consider  that  man's  happiness  greater,  yes,  his  life  bet- 
ter, whose  head  is  proof  against  the  swarms  of  poisonous 
insects  which  infest  society,  and  which  are  indigenous  to 
every  soil ;  his  happiness  is  greater,  I  say,  than  that  of  the 
charlatan  who  is  continually  wrestling  and  tumbling  with 
the  multitude  whose  very  touch  is  contamination  ;  who  at 
one  moment  favor,  and  the  next  frown  and  behead  ;  whose 
masters  they  make  their  servants  ;  whose  favors  are  carried 
away  by  the  highest  bidder,  and  who  have  neither  eyes  nor 
conscience,  being  both  naturally  and  morally  blind. 

The  man  who  like  Archimedes,  can  find  an  absorbing 
pleasure  in  his  circles,  or  like  Scaliger  can  wage  a  battle  in 
Homer  but  never  hear  one  at  his  own  door,  has  a  homestead 
to  which  his  title  is  the  best,  and  in  which  he  can  live  in 
undisturbed  possession.  This  is  what  we  obtain  by  a  mod- 
erate and  timely  application  to  books,  to  nature,  or  the  great 
but  varying  social  and  political  questions  of  every  day  :  we 
find 

"  Tongues  in  trees,  books  in  the  running  brooks, 
Sermons  in  stones  and  good  in  everything." 

I  say  moderate  application,  for  we  cannot  storm  the  hill  of 
science,  uGutla  cavat  lapidem,  non  vi,  sed  scepe  cadendo." 
A  few  minutes  of  every  day  well  applied  would  make  any 
one  ready  in  many  directions.  Some  of  the  most  volumi- 
nous writers  in  literature,  have  accomplished  their  great 
works  by  devoting  to  them  but  an  hour  or  two  each  day,  less 
than  you  and  I  devote  to  nothing  and  complain  of  that. 
Dr.  Johnson  proved  that  by  writing  one  octavo  page  per 
day  be  could  prepare  sixteen  volumes  in  the  ordinary  life  of 
man. 


ORATION. 


No  man  ever  wrote  an  immortal  book,  invented  a  useful 
machine,  or  won  a  great  battle  without  first  accomplishing 
the  preliminary  task  of  preparation.  Many,  indeed,  have 
greatness  thrust  suddenly  upon  them,  but  most  of  such  are 
as  suddenly  diminutived,  which  means  that  they  are  restored 
from  the  dangerous  and  inordinate  dimensions  of  the  ox  to 
which  they  aspired,  to  their  true  physiological  limits  in  the 
frog. 

We  are  told  that  bile  wins  battles  and  that  diet  is  liable 
to  change  the  dynasties  of  the  world  ;  yet  cannot  a  man 
regulate  both?  Wealth  of  understanding  is  never  inherit- 
ed, but  like  property  in  material  goods,  the  poorest  can 
enrich  himself  with  it;  material  wealth  allied  to  it  becomes 
beautiful,  loses  all  its  grossness,  and  serves  a  holy  mission. 

Upon  you  and  me,  my  Classmates,  has  this  ancient  seat 
of  learning  bestowed  its  modicum  of  culture  in  various 
directions. 

The  record  of  her  sons  will  always  stand  before  us,  an 
incentive  to  noble  effort,  and  a  rebuke  to  inactivity. 

Though  the  path  of  indolence  will  often  invite  and 
allure  by  a  display  of  pleasant  fields  and  flowery  meads,  it  is 
full  of  pitfalls,  quagmires  and  the  unwholesome  odors  of 
noxious  weeds,  and  whoso  entereth  it  either  falls  into  the 
filth  or  is  choked  by  the  pestilential  vapors. 

A  better  way  has  been  pointed  out  to  us  ;  one  whose 
pleasantness  is  no  sham,  and  whose  peace  cannot  be  coun- 
terfeited— a  way  in  which  striving  and  competition  are  indis- 
pensable to  reaching  the  goal ;  a  way  in  which  the  com- 
pany is  always  lively,  because  over  its  gateway  is  written 
"  Let  no  slothful  man  enter  here." 

Let  Truth  and  Error  enter,  side  by  side,  if  you  please, 
but  let  toleration  cease  with  the  indolent;  let  them  feed 
on  sunshine  and  moonbeams,  and  reap  the  consequences  in 
an  early  and  generous  taking  off. 

The  probationary  state  of  man  will  not  permit  him  to 
receive  great  and  lasting  good  without  toil;  no  man  is  sud- 
denly very  good  or  very  bad,  and  in  this  we  have  an  advan- 
tage.   We  are  not  old  enough  to  be  very  good  or  very  bad, 


8  ORATION, 


therefore  it  behooves  us  to  look  well  to  the  critical  transition- 
ary  period  in  which  we  live . 

The  level  of  Jack  Falstaff  may  be  placed  as  a  beacon  light 
to  warn  us  off  that  dangerous  shore,  the  haunt  of  such  as  he. 
"It  were  better  to  be  eaten  to  death  with  rust  than  scoured 
to  death  by  perpetual  motion." 

The  standard  of  St.  Paul  should  be  made  the  standard  of 
every  man,  as  conducive  to  his  best  temporal,  as  well  as 
spiritual  welfare  ;  "Our  remedies  are  oft'  found  in  our- 
selves." 

"  The  fault,  dear  Brutus,  is  not  in  our  stars, 
But  in  ourselves  that  we  are  underlings." 


POEM 


By  HENRY  C.  BLISS,  Hartford,  Vt. 


Listen,  my  Classmates,  to  your  poet's  lay 

Commem'rative  of  this  our  parting  day, 

When  we  like  drops  of  water' swiftly  hurled 

From  wheels  revolving,  enter  now  the  world 

To  mingle  with  the  surging  tide  of  life, 

To  sink  or  swim  ; — at  least  the  manly  strife 

Will  soon  begin  ;  how  soon  that  strife  will  close 

Let  him  your  chosen  prophet  speak  in  prose. 

The  Past  is  not  my  theme  ;  what  e'er  has  been 

By  you  is  given  to  task  another's  pen  ; 

But  since  that  task  to  me  is  not  assigned 

To  coax  fair  Clio  to  inspire  my  rhyme, 

I'll  let  my  Muse  like   falcon  in  the  sky — 

Sieze  the  first  prey  that  chances  passing  by  ; 

And  if  perchance,  like  bird  in  falcon's  grasp, 

My  theme  be  torn  to  tatters  in  my  task, 

Know  well  in  thoughts  I  fain  to  you  would  speak 

Lies  truth  inherent,  though  with  weary  feet 

It  plods  along  these  lines  to  meet  your  gaze  ; 

The  fault's  not  in  the  traveller,  but  the  ways. 

If  we  upon  your  minds  one  thought  can  leave — 

If  in  life's  subtle  tissues  we  can  weave 

One  golden  thread  from  which  in  after  days 

The  light  of  mem'ry  may  reflect  its  rays, 

Then,  when  we  leave  the  old  pine's  sombre  shade, 

Will  Class- day  labors  be  in  full  repaid. 

The  world  is  full  of  truths,  the  very  air 

We  breathe  is  laden  with  them,  and  they  bear 

The  perfumes  of  their  source — the  God  who  strews 

His  truths  as  freely  as  the  air  its  dews. 

But  he  who  searches  for  life's  better  end 

Them  feels  and  breathes,  but  seldom  comprehends. 


10  POEM. 


As  one  who  sails  upon  the  mighty 

Knows  little  of  myst'ries  which  beneath  him  sleep 

Laughs  when  the  waves  reflect  the  golden  sun  ; 

Delights  in  breezes,  trembles  in  the  storm  ; 

Nor  cares  he  aught  for  mighty  rolling  main, 

But  that  it  bear  him  to  his  port  again  ; 

So  man,  while  sailing  o'er  life's  troubled  sea, 

Sees  but  utility  in  God's  myst'ries. 

Could  men  but  fully,  clearly  comprehend 

The  vast  infinity  to  which  extends 

This  simple  truth — that  influence  ceases  never, 

But  once  created  liveth  on  forever  ; 

One  common  truth,  this  simple  mighty  fact 

Uniting  ages  in  one  firm  compact, 

Making  the  future  present,  present  past, 

Wedding  the  first  day  to  the  very  last, 

Less  human  law  we'd  need  to  hold  mankind 

Obesive  to  those  principles  which  find 

Their  habitude  in  every  human  mind. 

Oh  that  we  could  analyze  the  present — 

Resolve  the  Now  into  each  element 

Which  constitute  the  spirit  of  an  age  ; 

Pluck  from  the  tree  its  transient  foliage ; 

Lay  bear  its  root,  the  trunk  expose  to  view  ; 

Examine  the  soil  wherein  it  sprang  and  grew — 

Then  might  we  know  why  bitter  is  the  fruit ; 

Why  war  so  often  is  mankind's  pursuit ; 

Why  still  beneath  the  fairest  of  all  skies 

A  people  make  their  freedom's  obsequies  ; 

Why  stand  on  Egypt's  now  deserted  plain — 

But  monuments  of  long  departed  fame  ; 

Why,  where  old  Carthage  stood  in  pompous  pride, 

Now  desolation,  lone  and  drear,  preside. 

Yet  these  discrepancies,  these  changes  all 

As  consequents  from  minor  causes  fall. 

Had  great  yEncas  on  his  voyage  to  Rome, 

On  Afric's  shore  with  Dido  found  a  home, 

Forsooth,  to-day  the  scholar's  searching  eye 

Might  turn  to  Carthage  as  to  Italy. 

And,  Classmates,  if  you  will  excuse  the  time 

Of  adding  morals  to  my  homely  rhyme, 

I'd  say,  beware,  lest  you  for  "cup"  too  fast, 

Like  ruined  Bhe  then  find  your  hopes  at  last  ; 

And  us  Carthage  incured  a  Lasting  hate 

In  wooing  Rome  against  the  laws  of  Fate, 

Your  early  yems  may  wage  eternal  Btrife 

Again  i    ncce     you  i  eek  in  after  life. 


POEM.  11 


The  Grecian  mother,  to  her  infant  boy 
Re-told  the  tales  of  sacked  and  conquered  Troy; 
Taught  him,  with  heroes  of  the  past  to  vie, 
Like  them  to  battle,  and  like  them  to  die. 
Well  was  her  lesson  taught  and  learned ;  well 
By  wars  Greece  triumphed,  and  in  blood  she  fell ; 
And  have  those  waves  of  influence  ceased  to  beat 
The  shores  of  time,  because  no  more  repeat 
The  causes  ?  No  ;  the  Grecian  mother  still 
Teaches  the  world,  and  yet  forever  will. 

*  *  #  * 

There's  not  an  atom  of  the  boundless  spheres 
That  is  destructible  or  disappears 
From  the  existence  to  which  they  are  called — ■ 
So  not  an  influence  e'en  great  or  small 
That  ceases  ever  in  its  moulding  power 
But  through  the  future,  till  the  latest  hour 
Of  time, — the  waves  upon  that  mystic  sea 
Will  roll  and  mingle  with  eternity. 
In  Egypt,  rich  now  only  in  remains 
Of  ruined  splendor  and  of  hoary  fame, 
Beside  historic  Nile,  whose  sable  wave 
Kisses  the  birthland  and  the  nameless  grave 
Of  empire  which  rose,  flourished  and  died 
Like  airy  bubbles  on  old  ocean's  tide, 
Once  stood  a  mighty  city,  we  infer 
By  ruins  only,  her  sole  chronicler. 
But  where  are  they  who  in  her  palmier  days 
Basked  in  her  splendor  and  so  thronged  her  ways  ; 
Where  are  her  warriors  big  with  brief  renown  ; 
And  where  her  kings,  her  sceptre  and  her  crown  ; 
Her  wealth,  her  luxury,  her  pompous  pride, 
Bloating  in  vain  conceit ;  and  where  the  tide 
Of  human  life,  that  through  those  ruined  streets 
Surged  like  the  ocean  ;  where  the  many  feet 
That  wore  those  pavements  ;  where  the  sparkling  eye 
That  wondered  at  God's  myst'ries  in  the  sky  ? 
There  lies  the  hero,  numbered  with  the  band, 
That  lived  and  died  'ere  classic  Homer  sang  ; 
There  mingles  with  the  desert  sand 
The  sceptred  and  the  shackled  hand ; 
There,  dust  to  dust,  the  slave  and  king 
In  common  graves  are  mingling — 
The  names  of  both  forgotten,  gone 
From  history  and  poets  song. 
Still  they  are  only  gone  in  name, 


12  POEM. 


While  the  immortal  parts  remain 
Their  influence  on  us  is  cast, 
Although  two  thoussnd  years  have 
And,  mortals,  till  the  latest  hour 
Of  time,  will  feel  their  silent  power. 
Classmates,  to  the  untried  future 
Each  of  us  is  hurrying  fast; 
Shall  we  then  not  learn  a  lesson 
From  the  teachings  of  the  past  ? 
You  may  battle  for  distinction, 
Which  we  call  eternal  fame, 
And  you  e'en  may  reach  the  temple, 
And  high  on  it  write  your  name  ; 
Yet  sometime  you'll  be  forgotten, 
Like  the  ones  who  on  the  way 
Met  a  grave  and  sank  into  it — 
Met  oblivion  in  a  day  ; 
And  the  world  will  go  as  blithely 
As  though  never  we  were  born, 
Just  as  we  are  wholly  careless 
Of  the  ones  before  us  gone. 

Though  they  tread  upon  your  ashes, 
You  may  help  to  mould  their  minds 
To  a  symmetry  more  Godlike, 
Like  its  prototype  divine. 

While  the  influence  you've  exerted, 
Careless  of  its  consequence, 
Will  be  present  at  the  judgment 
And  receive  its  recompense. 

We  shall  part — but  still  my  classmates 

Ere  we  break  the  golden  chain  ; 

Ere  we  pass  the  mystic  portal 

To  the  future's  wide  domain  ; 

In  these  few  remaining  moments 

Ere  our  College  sands  are  run  ; 

Ere  this  life  we  have  departed 

And  another  is  begun  ; 

Ere  our  common  path  diverging 

When  two  fleeting  days  are  done, 

Will  resolve  itself,  and  number 

Thirty-two  instead  of  one  ; 

While  the  lamp  burns  low  and  flickers, 

And  the  mind  in  fancy  peers 

To  i  Ik;  dim  but  wished  for  future 

Which  perhaps  you'll  meet  in  tears; 


POEM.  13 


Let  us  pause,  and  retrospective 

To  the  bygone  turn  our  gaze 

O'er  these  years  we've  spent  together — 

Four  long  years  of  College  days. 

May  be  when  the  coming  future 

Vexing  cares  have  on  you  lain, 

Grievous  sorrows,  crushing  burdens, 

You  will  wish  them  back  again. 

Doubtless  some  one  of  our  number, 

After  many  years  have  fled, 

Will  return  with  faltering  footsteps, 

And  with  grey  hairs  on  his  head 

He  will  stand  beneath  our  Class-tree, 

Pausing  long  to  meditate 

On  the  band  that  once  there  gathered  , 

Long  ago  in  sixty-eight ; 

He  will  think  of  his  old  Classmates, 

Of  those  many  mutual  friends, 

Of  their  many  different  pathways 

And  the  tombstones  at  their  end, 

Where  the  wrecks  of  hope  lie  buried, 

And  ambition's  fitful  fire 

Met  its  curfew  at  the  noonday 

With  the  aims  it  did  aspire. 

We  who  started  in  the  morning 

With  our  number  firm  and  strong, 

Twice  have  worn  the  badge  of  mourning 

For  two  brothers  homeward  gone. 

Though  we  write  his  name  in  marble 

As  a  token  of  our  love  ; 

Though  we  know  that  golden  letters 

Form  his  name  in  realms  above ; 

Yet  we  feel  that  still  among  us 

Lives  what  death  could  not  efface, 

Influence  of  pure  example 

Fraught  with  holy,  manly  grace. 

The  time  has  come  at  last,  when  we 
Like  pilgrims  from  their  native  shore, 
Must  launch  our  bark  into  the  sea, 
And  bid  farewell  to  scenes  of  yore. 

0,  gala  days  of  College  life, 
How  dream-like  have  thy  moments  past ; 
"  Though  flown  the  arrow"  yet  how  rife 
With  mem'ries  pleasant  to  the  last. 


14  POEM. 


E'en  now  I  seem  to  feel  the  tie, 
Which  here  has  made  us  all  as  one, 
Loosened.     And  a  voice  seems  nigh 
To  say,  God  speed!  your  work  is  done. 

So  is  my  task,  but  it  has  been 
Labor  of  love  ;  and  to  the  shades 
Of  College  days,  my  offering 
Unworthy,  has  been  gladly  made. 

Farewell,  Dartmouth !  may  you  ever 
Be  as  now  an  Alma  Mater  ; 
Recreant  may  we  prove,  never  ; 
Farewell !  Octo  Sexigenta. 


CHRONICLES. 


By  F.  C.  Hathaway,  Hardwick,  Vt. 


The  historian  always  labors  at  a  twofold  disadvantage  ; 
first,  because  he  is  not  permitted  to  embellish  his  writings 
with  fanciful  pictures, — and,  secondly,  because  nothing  but 
facts  must  be  stated,  and  those  without  partiality  or  preju- 
dice. Deeply  impressed  with  the  responsibility  of  the  task, 
your  Chronicler  has  consulted  the  oracles,  and  examined  the 
books,  and  nothing  is  recorded  in  these  annals,  concerning  the 
accuracy  and  authenticity  of  which  there  is  any  doubt. 
Should  the  attractive  element  of  wit  be  wanting,  it  must  be 
remembered  that  it  is  chiefly  of  "grave  subjects"  that  I  have 
to  speak,  and  the  Class  motto — "Procul,  0  Procul,  este  pro- 
fani" — would  not  permit  me  to  mention  any  of  its  doings 
with  unbecoming  levity. 

The  first  man  who  delivered  his  "  moral  character"  into 
the  hands  of  the  Faculty,  and  passed  the  terrible  ordeal  of 
examination,  was  your  Chronicler,  who  had  his  preconceived 
idea  that  Dartmouth  College  was  a  working  institution,  con- 
siderably strengthened  by  the  fact,  that  he  found  the  Presi- 
dent pro  tern,  at  work  in  the  garden,  and  the  Professor  of 
Greek  sawing  wood.  Two  native  Hanoverians,  Smith  and 
Hale,  were  then  on  the  scene  of  action  ;  and,  as  they  passed 
down  the  street  together,  reminded  me  of  Pious  iEneas  and 
the  boy  Ascanius,  walking  along  "  non  passibus  aequis." — 
Next  came  the  annual  delegate  from  Thetford — Sherman, 
who,  like  Bulwer's  novels,  made  up  in  length  what  he 
wanted  in  substance.  Haverhill  sent  us  a  ligneous  specimen, 
which  for  some  time  was  thought  to  be  of  the  genus  Bass, 


16  CHRONICLES 


but  the  error  was  discovered  the  following  winter  by  a 
pugilistic  school-boy,  who  demonstrated  the  fact  that  it  was 
genuine  Boxwood,  and  this  conclusion  was  verified  Sopho- 
more Fall,  though  in  a  very  different  way.  It  has  been 
recently  ascertained  that  it  makes  an  excellent  sounding 
board,  though  not  particularly  musical.  Montpelier  sent  us 
a  sprig  of  nobility  whose  name  (J.  King  Lord,)  indicated 
that  he  was  a  regular  "  double  header"  He  came  attended 
only  by  a  single  Page,  though  he  has  always  manifested  a 
dislike  for  republican  simplicity. 

Our  little  company  was  thrown  intoecstacy  by  the  arrival 
of  six  feet  of  perfect  Bliss  from  Hartford,  Vt.  Haverhill, 
Mass.  donated  two  rare  curiosities,  both  of  which  appeared 
eminently  qualified  to  personate  the  Mammoth  Cave  ; — one 
on  stilts  and  the  other  without;  both  have  since  distin- 
guished themselves  as  we  shall  notice  hereafter.  Topsham 
and  Goffstown,  each  spared  us  one  of  their  twelve  patriarchs. 
Windham  added  a  Camel  (Campbell)  to  our  collection  ; 
California  sent  us  a  Grizzly,  and  Canterbury  furnished  airs 
(Ayers)  for  the  whole  class. 

But  as  this  is  intended  to  be  historical,  rather  than  bio- 
graphical, I  must  forbear  to  mention  others  except  as  occa- 
sion may  require. 

Sept.  2d.  1864,  was  the  eventful  day  to  which  we  had  all 
been  looking  ;  and  when  it  came,  at  the  first  note  of  the 
Chapel  Bell,  twenty-six  made  a  rush  for  Prayers  ;  and  after 
numerous  enquiries  and  some  Sophomoric  advice,  all  suc- 
ceeded in  finding  the  proper  quarter  of  the  Chapel,  except 
your  Chronicler,  who  got  ahead  two  years,  and  took  a  seat 
with  the  Juniors.  I  might  here  incidentally  add  that  he 
made  a  similar  mistake  the  next  Sabbath  and  sat  with  the 
Seniors  at  church.  The  initiatory  lecture  was  read  by  the 
Professor  of  Greek,  and  created  a  profound  impression  of 
the  dignity  of  the  institution.  Silence  reigned,  all  sat  erect, 
and  there  was  no  "  wooding  up."  I  give  this  the  promi- 
nence of  italics  as  it  is  believed  to  be  the  only  case  of  the 
kind  during  the  whole  course;. 

Page  spent  most  of  the  afternoon  before  the  mirror,  prac- 


CHRONICLES.  17 


ticing  the  most  "  nobby"  way  of  giving  the  required  Salute. 
The  tirst  recitation  was  in  Livy,  and  those  called  recited 
with  great  fear  and  trembling  ;  even  Burbank,  with  the 
experience  of  three  preparatory  schools,  handled  his  "  pony" 
loaves  a  little  nervously,  and  Bartlett  2d.,  after  failing  to 
give  intelligible  answers  to  several  questions,  admitted  that 
"  the  point  was  not  quite  clear  to  his  mind."  For  the  first 
few  days  while  the  electioneering  canvass  lasted,  we  were  all 
pretty  good  fellows,  and  in  great  demand  among  upper-class 
men.  Toward  the  close  of  the  month,  Condit  and  Vander- 
poel  came.  The  latter  took  rooms  at  Mr.  Field's  for  awhile, 
but  owing  to  the  close  proximity  of  the  campus  and  hotel, 
the  noise  compelled  this  studious  youth  to  move  his  quarters 
to  Rev.  Mr.  Richardson's,  where  he  remained  the  rest  of  the 
year  with  a  select  company  in  close  application.  I  will  here 
mention  the  fact  that  he  has  since  overcome  this  weakness, 
and  returned  to  the  old  place,  where  his  studies  have  not 
been  interrupted,  at  least  during  the  last  year. 

During  the  first  few  weeks  we  all  distinguished  ourselves 
by  eighteen  unsuccessful  attempts  to  carry  off  the  foot-ball, 
and  about  the  middle  of  the  term  the  grand  match  game 
came  off.  Hughes  was  stationed  on  the  left,  and  kept  his 
position  faithfully  during  the  whole  game,  •  which  lasted 
about  fifteen  minutes.  Having  been  "  triumphantly"  de- 
feated, we  left  the  field,  magnanimously  cheering  for  the  vic- 
tors. (For  further  particulars  see  the  JEgis.)  About  this 
time  the  Sophomores  began  making  nocturnal  visits  to  our 
recitation  room,  always  leaving  their  peculiar  smell  behind 
them,  and  on  one  occasion,  through  some  unaccountable 
mistake,  one  of  their  own  number  also.  Near  the  close  of 
the  term,  the  President  gave  us  a  reception,  at  which,  our 
"  Daring  Adventurer,"Anderson,  attempted  to  walk  through 
a  pier-glass,  but  was  finally  rescued  by  a  blooming  maiden 
of  thirty.  The  Sophs  kindly  volunteered  to  furnish  some 
of  their  characteristic  music  for  the  occasion,  which  was 
properly  appreciated.  Soon  after,  the  favor  was  requited  at 
their  reception,  and  we  "held"  them  " spell-bound"  for  the 
space  of  half  an  hour. 


18  CHRONICLES. 


It  was  at  this  time  that  Page  called  upon  a  young  lady, 
by  special  invitation,  but  afterwards  learned  that  the  note 
came  from  Soph.  Whipple.  Examination  came  at  last,  and 
when  the  "weighing"  process  was  over,  no  one  was  found 
" wanting."  I  will  here  state  for  the  benefit  of  future  classes 
that  the  posting  of  one  division  in  the  guard  room,  to  pass 
written  extracts  from  Chase's  Algebra  through  the  key  hole, 
will  be  found  a  very  convenient  arrangement  for  examination. 
We  cannot  say  that  this  will  always  succeed,  but  it  worked 
well  in  our  case. 

Great  anxiety  had  been  manifested  for  some  time  respect- 
ing the  "  marks/'  There  were,  as  usual,  several  candidates 
for  the  leadership,  and  nearly  all  the  rest  expected  to  be 
"  Phi  Betas."  But  alas  for  human  expectations  ;  the  Patri- 
arch from  Topsham  took  the  lead,  and  the  "  fat  boy  from 
Andover"  brought  up  the  rear,  which  accounts  for  his  ever 
afterwards  being  called  "  Baby"  Bartlett.  There  could  not, 
of  course,  in  a  class  of  twenty-eight,  be  more  than  ten  in  the 
first  third.  I  will  here  state,  that  this  mathematical  fact 
was  first  demonstrated  by  Ayers,  after  an  unsuccessful 
attempt  to  prove  by  the  binomial  theorem  that  there  might 
be  eleven.  It  is  supposed  that  this  hallucination  originated 
in  the  fact  that  he  was  the  eleventh  man.  I  had  almost  for- 
gotten to  mention,  that  it  was  during  this  term  that  White 
started  his  celebrated  reform  pledge,  which,  no  doubt,  was 
productive  of  much  good  Sophomore  year.  An  opposition 
movement  was  also  started,  and  your  chionicler  with  several 
others  who  were  desirous  of  being  on  the  right  side,  signed 
both,  to  make  a  sure  thing  of  it.  During  the  winter,  most 
of  the  class  were  excused  to  teach,  and  it  is  believed  that 
several  were  actually  engaged  in  that  noble  vocation,  though 
it  is  rumored  that  the  number  who  had  more  than  one  pupil 
at  a  time  was  very  small.  We  all  "  wintered,  "and,  on  our 
return  in  the  spring,  were  joined  by  ihree  new  recruits, 
Emerson,  Cook  a  Miehigander  (who  later  in  his  course  became 
noted  as  a  trainer  of  animals,  especially  of  the  feline  race,) 
and  another  Patriarch,  from  New  Ipswich.  Nothing  of  par- 
ti cular  interest   occurred   during  this  term  except   a  class 


CHRONICLES.  19 


"conference"  with  the  Professor  of  mathematics,  on  the 
subject  of  foot-ball  rushes,  and  the  "  inconveniences"  attend- 
ing them.  After  a  prolonged  session,  and  numerous  adjourn- 
ments, it  was  unanimously  resolved  that  "  rushes,"  during 
study  hours,  were  deleterious  ;  that  all  disturbances,  during 
recitations,  were  "wrong'"  and  all  declared  their  " present 
intention,"  not  to  disturb  the  recitation  except  in  cases  of 
"  extreme  excitement." 

The  beginning  of  the  summer  term  was  attended  by  a 
remarkable  incident, —  Vanderpoel  ivas  present.  I  call  your 
especial  attention  to  this  fact,  as  it  is  the  only  time  he  has 
ever  been  present  at  the  commencement  of  a  term.  But 
few  things  occurred  during  the  term  worth  chronicling. 
"  Baby"  Bartlett  gave  a  very  lucid  explanation  of  his  idea 
of  an  "  apparent  hiatus,"  which,  on  account  of  its  precision 
I  quote, — "  don't  understand  nothin'  'bout  it."  This  was 
universally  admitted  to  be  the  most  accurate  answer  he  ever 
gave.  George,  after  consulting  with  some  of  his  scientific 
friends  in  regard  to  the  best  beautifler  of  the  complexion, 
tried  nitrate  of  silver  with  marlzed  effect  ;  but  never  was 
known  to  use  it  but  once.  At  the  close  of  the  examination, 
it  was  ascertained  that  our  New  Ipswich  Patriarch  had 
taken  the  lead.  Thus  closed  the  first  act,  and  all  went  away 
with  good  resolutions  respecting  the  future.  Several  burnt 
their  ponies,  having  determined  to  proceed  in  a  legitimate 
way  the  rest  of  their  course,  which  resolution,  judging  from 
their  subsequent  translations,  I  have  no  doubt  they  kept. 

Sophomore  year  opened  ominously.  At  the  first  recita- 
tion we  all  became  experimentally  acquainted  with  the  phrase 
"sub  jugum  mittere"  for  we  were  all  sent  under  the  yoke 
though  the  performance  required  a  whole  day  for  its  comple- 
tion. At  night,  a  council  of  war  was  held,  and,  as  it  was 
found  that  only  four  had  been  suspended  during  the  day, 
we  took  fresh  courage.  To  explain  all  the  "  differences" 
that  arose  between  the  Faculty  and  class  during  the  term, 
would  exceed  our  limits.  At  the  close  of  the  term  an  inspec- 
tion was  had,  at  which,  it  was  ascertained  that  twenty-five 
were  present,  most  of  whom,  however,  were  on  probation  ; 


20  CHRONICLES. 


and  of  those  missing,  Merrill  and  Clark  were  supposed  to 
be  dead,  metaphorically  speaking  ;  Sherman,  George,  Bur- 
bank,  Cook  and  "  Baby"  Bartlett,  were  in  temporary  exile, 
and  Bartlett  1st  was  away  sick.  I  will  here  remark  that 
the  latter  died  soon  after,  and  Bartlett  2d.  never  returned. 
Haverhill  sent  us  a  Gale  at  the  beginnino;  of  the  term  which 
was  received  with  great  joy  when  it  was  ascertained  to  be  a 
musical  one.  Our  classical  "  Camel"  always  persisted  in 
calling  him  Procella,  though  we  have  never  noticed  anything 
very  blustering  about  him  except  his  chum.  Curtis  reached 
us  just  in  season  to  oversee  the  surveying  practice.  The 
Fieldwork  was  very  agreeable,  but  the  divisions  were  found 
to  be  too  small  for  convenience,  as  two  were  specially  detailed 
from  each,  whose  regular  duty  was  to  take  the  bearings  of 
all  accessible  fruit  trees  in  the  neighborhood.  It  is  needless 
to  say  that  all  performed  their  duty  faithfully,  especially 
those  detailed.  It  is  even  reported  that  some  of  the  latter 
sat  up  nights  to  accomplish  their  work,  though  I  never  heard 
of  their  burning  the  midnight  oil  while  engaged  at  their  task. 
Early  in  the  term,  Noyes  and  Merrill  began  to  compete  for 
the  "  spoon/'  and  the  result  was  that  the  Went  worth  Hall 
Club  was  compelled  to  suspend  at  the  end  of  two  weeks. 
Merrill  was  conceded  to  have  the  most  capacious  organ  of 
mastication,  but  Noyes  excelled  in  digestion,  and  ultimately 
won  the  victory.  The  Spring  term  was  remarkably  quiet  as 
there  was  hardly  a  quorum  present.  The  only  occurrence 
worthy  of  mention,  was  in  connection  with  the  Junior  Exhi- 
bition. Fearing  that  their  well  known  modesty  might  not 
permit  them  to  publish  suitable  programmes,  we  took  the 
matter  in  hand,  but  as  our  first  edition  did  not  prove  entirely 
satisfactory,  another  was  issued.  The  effect  was  striking,  as 
your  chronicler  and  Page  can  testify.  At  the  beginning  of 
the  summer  term,  the  exiles,  including  Clark  and  Merrill, 
returned,  but  upon  examination,  it  was  found  that  those 
who  pursued  their  studies  at  Dunbarton,  were  so  much  in 
advance  of  the  class,  that  it  was  thought  best  to  excuse  them 
till  fall. 

It  was  during  this  term  that  Parkhurst,  induced  by  an 


CHRONICLES.  21 


excessive  desire  for  literature,  took  up  his  connection  with 
the  institution,  having  previously  obtained  full  permission 
from  the  Faculty.  When  examination  came,  Page,  either 
being  destitute  of  funds  or  desirous  of  using  them  for  some 
other  purpose,  failed  to  make  the  necessary  preparation,  and 
consequently,  "  flunked"  in  mathematics.  Your  Chronicler 
would  here  state  that  he  was  absent  teaching  most  of  the 
time  Junior  and  Senior  falls,  but  the  class  Historian  has 
kindly  furnished  a  record  of  the  leading  occurrences,  which 
can  be  relied  upon  as  perfectly  authentic.  Yanderpoel  was 
absent,  as  usual,  at  the  opening  of  the  term;  but  very  excus- 
ably, as  he  broke  his  arm  during  vacation  while  attempting 
to  perform  an  exceedingly  difficult  gymnastic  feat.  This 
term  witnessed  three  new  arrivals  ; — two  Wise  men  from 
the  South,  and  an  excellent  suit  of  clothes  from  New  York 
City.  One  of  the  former,  made  the  astonishing  announce- 
ment, that  Demosthenes  was  in  the  habit  of  sleeping  with 
Cicero,  which  is  said  to  be  his  inference  from  the  phrase 
"Ciceroni  dormitat"  in  the  tenth  book  of  Quintilian.  A 
complaint  was  made  against  Bliss  for  the  capital  offense  of 
"  murdering  Latin,"  and  the  Prof,  advised  him  to  procure  a 
translation,  but  he  did  not  comply,  as  he  had  already  taken 
that  precaution.  Clark,  becoming  riotous  in  a  class  meeting, 
was  ejected  by  the  Sergeant-at-Arms.  I  mention  this  as  an 
instance  of  the  strict  discipline  which  always  prevailed  at 
meetings  of  the  class.  Wood,  who  was  teaching  at  Meri- 
den,  was  approached  by  a  youngster  who  asked  him  if  "  this 
was  his  first  term  ;"  a  mistake  about  equal  to  that  of  the 
Bostonian,  who,  having  met  Anderson  and  Campbell, 
remarked  that  he  "had  just  seen  a  young  man  from  Dart- 
mouth College,  with  his  Father." 

The  "knife"  which  had  previously  been  awarded  to  Noyes, 
was  presented,  near  the  close  of  the  term,  with  appropriate 
ceremonies,  though  it  was  not  a  very  sober  affair,  especially 
towards  the  close.  Far  be  it  from  my  intention  to  enter  in- 
to any  partisan  strife,  but  I  can  not  forbear  to  mention  that 
Cook  and  Ranney  were  prominent  candidates  for  the  honor. 
It  was  during  this  term,  that  Hughes  began   to  deliver  his 


22  CHRONICLES. 


"  Curtain  Lectures"  to  "respected  and  delighted  audiences," 
and  Yanderpoel  occasionally  exhibited  his  Jack-all.  In  the 
spring,  Merrill  and  Burbank  left  us  and  went  to  Germany, 
and  George  did  not  return.  It  is  reported  that  he  settled 
down  to  school  teaching  and  connubial  felicity  at  Plattsburg, 
N.  Y.  This  loss  was  partially  made  up  by  the  arrival  of 
Bennett,  whose  genealogy  shows  him  to  be  the  very  quintes- 
sence of  the  "hundred  Boston  orators."  Kumor  has  it  that 
he  was  dismissed  from  Waterville  on  account  of  his  fiery 
disposition. 

Considerable  inconvenience  was  experienced,  both  this  and 
the  following  term,  on  account  of  the  persistence  of  the 
Prof,  of  Astronomy,  in  requiring  particular  and  definite 
answers  instead  of  general  ones.  An  example  will  illustrate. 
Blanchard  being  requested  to  give  the  average  distance  of 
the  asteroids  from  the  sun,  said  it  was  a  "considerable  num- 
ber of  miles."  "Yes,"  said  the  Prof.,  "but  about  how  many?" 
"about  a  hundred,"  replied  "Grum."  "No,"  said  the  Prof., 
"about  two  hundred  and  fifty  millions."  Such  slight  dis- 
crepancies were  however  generally  overlooked.  About  this 
time,  Curtis  received  a  call  from  an  elderly  gentleman  from 
"up  North,"  where  he  stopped  awhile  during  summer  vaca- 
tion, respecting  a  little  business  matter,  but  too  little  is 
known  of  the  affair  to  warrant  further  statement.  Ayers 
spent  most  of  his  time  at  Church,  winking  and  grinning 
over  the  edge  of  the  Gallery  at  a  young  lady  below,  but  at 
length  received  an  indignant  note  from  the  lady,  written 
however  by  Condit,  requesting  him  to  discontinue  his  amo- 
rous glances,  which  had  the  desired  effect.  Condit  was  re- 
proved by  a  young  lady  for  wearing  a  brass  watch  chain,  on 
the  ground  that  he  had  a  sufficient  quantity  in  his  face.  At 
the  close  of  the  summer  term,  it  devolved  upon  us  to  trim 
the  Libraries;  and  it  was  upon  that  occasion  that  Hill  first 
betrayed  his  susceptibility  to  female  charms. 

Time  will  not  permit  me  to  give  an  extended  account  of 
the  trip  to  the  mountains.  Gale  was  dismissed  after  a  few 
days,  on  account  of  his  profanity  and  smoking  propensity, 
llanney  gave  his  name  to  a  fall  in  the  "Flume"  with  pecul- 


CHRONICLES.  23 


iar  and  impressive  christening  ceremonies.  Page  perform- 
ed many  daring  feats  and  Twombly  washed  the  dishes.  Cook 
held  a  very  romantic  conversation  with  a  Gipsy  woman,  but 
her  biting  sarcasm  quite  overcame  him.  Three  new  men 
joined  us  in  the  fall  ;  Howe  who  had  just  graduated  from  a 
Western  College  ;  Blaisdell,  premature  graduate  of  the 
class  of  '64,  as  well  as  a  somewhat  noted  somnambulist;  and 
Waterville  sent  us  a  valuable  donation,  although  every  one 
called  it  Small.  Early  in  the  term,  the  Lecturer  on  Physi- 
ology, was  obliged  to  pause  in  the  midst  of  a  very  interest- 
ing lecture  and  wait  for  Ayers  to  quiet  his  excited  nerves,  as 
he  was  known  to  be  afflicted  with  the  heart  disease.  This 
gentleman,  soon  after,  discovered  that  literature  was  his 
special  fort,  and  immediately  took  a  high  stand  in  the  world 
of  letters,  by  his  very  appropriate  introduction,  to  "Women 
of  the  War."  At  one  recitation  during  the  term,  Lord 
asked  only  eleven  questions;  as  the  number  was  unusually 
small  considerable  curiosity  was  manifested  to  know  the 
cause.  Some  asserted  that  he  was  unwell,  but  the  more 
probable  reason  was,  that  there  was  no  prospect  of  his  being 
called.  Hughes  was  absent,  acting  as  missionary  to  the  In- 
dian tribes  of  Minnesota.  He  was  induced  to  undertake  this 
mission  by  the  entreaties  of  Cushing,  who  has  always  mani- 
fested great  solicitude  for  the  prosperity  and  increase  of 
that  noble  race. 

On  the  morning  of  Feb.  4th,  we  were  overwhelmed  with 
grief  by  the  intelligence  that  Sherman,  who  had  been  ab- 
sent teaching,  was  dead.  On  the  following  Sabbath  we  at- 
tended his  funeral  at  Thetford.  Though  it  is  no  part  of  my 
present  duty  to  eulogize,  I  will  add  this  tribute  to  his  mem- 
ory. In  his  frail  body  he  ever  carried  a  pure  heart  and  a 
noble  soul.  During  the  spring,  White,  having  become  con- 
vinced that  College  was  not  the  place  for  "shrewd  business 
men/'  left  us  and  set  up  a  bookstore  down  town.  The  ap- 
pointments for  commencement  were  given  out  at  the  close  of 
the  term  and  the  class  immediately  began  to  cultivate  their 
"elaborative"  faculties. 

Throughout   the  summer  term  the  Professors,   generally 


24  CHRONICLES, 


speaking,  recited  well,  except  in  Guyzot,  when  it  was  done  by- 
special  committees  appointed  for  the  purpose.  It  was  on 
one  of  these  occasions  that  Bennett  soared  off  into  the 
realms  of  infinity  and  brought  back  the  following  definition 
of  Common  Sense — "The  instantaneous  reflex  of  unforced 
and  unimpeded  mental  activity,  caused  by  the  perception  of 
objective  realities  and  subjective  subtleties," — "which,"  re- 
marked the  Prof.,  "being  interpreted  according  to  the  lan- 
guage of  scripture,  means — what?"  The  principal  work  of 
the  term,  was  to  plant  three  trees,  learn  to  sing  Amesbury 
and  hold  class  meetings  for  the  purpose  of  levying  taxes, 
all  of  which  was  duly  performed. 

Thus  have  I  imperfectly  recalled  our  past  history;  the 
present  we  have  before  us  and  the  future  will  soon  be 
unveiled  to  our  astonished  gaze  by  our  worthy  Prophet. 


PROPHECIES. 


By  A.  D.  CONDIT,  Terre  Haute,  Ind. 


"Wats  a  prophet?"  inquired  the  elder  Weller.  "  Vy  a 
man  as  tells  what's  agoin'  to  happen,"  responded  Sam.  I 
have  the  honor  to  stand  in  that  position  this  afternoon  in 
relation  to  the  class  of  '68.  It  is  my  duty  to  draw  aside  the 
misty  veil  which  divides  the  present  and  future,  to  peer  into 
that  uncertain  void,  impenetrable,  but  to  the  inspired,  or  him 
indued  with  second  sight, — by  the  latter  no  reference  is  made 
to  the  faculty  of  seeing  double — and  make  known  the  fu- 
ture destiny  of  each  one.  I  might  warn  you  to  beware,  "that 
you  know  what  you  are,  but  'twere  better  not  to  know  what 
you  may  be,"  quoting  that  familar  line — ■ 

"  Where  ignorance  is  bliss," 

— no  joke  on  our  Poet  intended, — but  my  experience  among 
you  proves  to  me  conclusively  that  it  would  be  folly  to  offer 
any  such  advice,  and  I  withhold  it.  My  work  then  must  go 
forward,  and  it  shall  be  wholly  my  own,  neither  soothsayer, 
nor  astrologer,  ghost  nor  demon,  shall  share  my  labors  in 
compiling  these  prophecies.  I  free  myself  from  the  contam- 
ination of  them  all,  and  assume  the  whole  responsibility  of 
what  I  may  say,  uncorrupted  by  bribes.     And 

"  There  is  no  terror  Cassius  in  your  threats  ! 
For  I  am  armed  so  strong  in  honesty, 
That  they  pass  by  me  as  the  idle  wind, 
Which  I  respect  not." 

True  we  have  two  wise  men  in  our  own  class,  whom  I 
might  have  called  in  to  my  assistance  but  their  presence  was 
invoked  so  frequently  at  West  Lebanon,  that  had  I  desired 
it,  I  should  have  early  abandoned  any  thought  of  securing 
a  portion  of  their  time.  But  I  did  not  wish  it;  I  boast  my- 
self a  true  prophet,  a  lineal  descendant  from  Daniel,  and  you 
may  be  assured  that  my  words  will  be  fulfilled — provided 


26  PROPHECIES. 


you  have  sufficient  faith.  It  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  dwell 
upon  your  past  history,  to  establish  my  reputation  as  a 
prophet.  Our  veracious  Chronicler  who  just  preceded  me, 
has  faithfully  portrayed  your  life  up  to  the  present  hour,  and 
I  am  the  Cond(u)it  by  which  you  shall  pass  in  imagination 
from  the  joyous,  happy  present,  from  the  bosom  of  our  hap- 
py family  into  the  unknown  and  untried  future,  where 
mayhap  your  vision  opens  upon  elysian  fields,  where  all  is 
pleasant  and  beautiful,  a  Mahomet's  paradise;  beware  lest 
your  dreams  be  an  illusion,  and  deceive  you  as  the  mirage 
on  the  desert  lures  the  weary  traveller  onward  to  beautiful 
oases,  which  continually  recede  as  he  draws  near  the  coveted 
rest.  My  intimacy  with  you,  gives  me  abundant  resources, 
from  which  my  inspiration  is  drawn,  "Coming  events  cast 
their  shadows  before/'  and  I  see  the  future  through  the  past. 
To  the  uninspired  my  task  may  seem  an  easy  one,  to  fore- 
tell the  destiny  of  thirty-two  men ;  but  I  would  point  them 
to  our  modest  Cush,  or  our  stately  Chronicler,  who  dyed 
this  morning,  that  he  might  create  a  sensation  and  flutter- 
ing among  the  fair  ones  here  assembled,  and  whose  imposing 
presence,  I  doubt  not,  has  impressed  you  all  with  a  sense  of 
awe  and  admiration;  where  will  these  find  "  a  local  habita- 
tion and  a  place  to  lie  down  in."  "lis  true  that  Blaisdell 
and  Anderson  have  presaged  their  future,  but  the  Chroma- 
tic art  would  avail  but  little  with  Ayers., 

"  The  Devil'was  sick,  the  Devil  a  Monk  would  be, 
The  Devil  was  well,  the  Devil  a  Monk  was  he." 

And  Eanney,  too,  who  declares  his  intention  to  be  an  M.  D., 
I  find,  after  casting  his  horoscope,  in  a  very  different  pur- 
suit. Then  should  I  fail  to  allot  to  some  of  you  that  im- 
mortal glory  which  your  ambition  leads  you  to  fancy  will  be 
yours — cry  out  with  a  loud  Noyes — 

"  Of  all  plagues,  good  Heaven,  thy  wrath  can  send, 
Save,  oh  !  save  me,  from  a  candid  friend." 

Tempora,  Mutantur,  et  nos  mutamur  in  Mis." 

We  are  in  the  year  1888,  twenty  years  have  wrought 
many  changes.  As  "  liberally  educated"  young  men  we 
launched  our  barks  upon  the  troubled  waters  of  life  with  the 
inevitable  future  before  us  ;  with  our  star  of  destiny  shining 
above  us,  we  were  guided  into  that  haven  of  which  you  are 
all  waiting  anxiously  to  hear.  I  don  my  mantle,  and  pro- 
ceed to  satiate;  your  greedy  appetite. 

Cochran  first  walks  in  upon  the  scene  ;  he  has  been  for  a 
number  of  years  editor  of  the  Lacrosse  Democrat,  successor 


PROPHECIES.  27 

to  Brick  Poraeroy — defunct.  Brick  took  him  into  his  office 
as  devil,  and  soon  found  him  such  a  devil  that  he  raised  him 
to  full  partnership,  and  upon  the  death  of  B.  P.,  Mickey 
became  sole  editor  and  proprietor.  He  no  longer  is  com- 
pelled to  worship  his  beloved  Ada  as  one  in  the  distance,  but 
has  taken  her  for  his  own,  though  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  he 
thought  within  himself, 

"  Distance  lends  enchantment  to  the  view." 

The  irrepressible  Wise  is  chief  engineer  in  a  milliner  shop 
in  Jersey  City,  and  has  attained  the  consummation  of  his 
ambition,  seated  in  a  high  chair  in  the  midst  of  an  array  of 
fair  young  desmoiselles,  dispensing  in  their  willing  ears  his 
cheap  talk  ;  the  only  alloy  to  embitter  his  cup  of  happiness 
is  the  fact  that  Ranney  finds  it  convenient  to  pass  several 
hours  each  day  buzzing  the  girls  ;  truly  he  finds, 

"  There  is  no  rose  without  a  thorn." 

Ambrose  Loomis  Ranney,  would  have  taken  a  prominent 
rank  among  the  Doctors,  but  the  enchantment  of  buzzing, 
to  which  we  have  alluded,  was  so  great,  that  all  else  was  neg- 
lected ;  he  has  determined  to  leave  Wise  alone  in  his  glory, 
and  establish  a  dollar  Bazaar,  that  he  may  retrieve  his  shat- 
tered fortune  and  indulge  his  darling  propensity  at  the  same 
time.  Wise  2d,  or  t'other  Wise  as  he  is  sometimes  called, 
has  become  the  most  successful  divorce  lawyer  in  Chicago; 
the  ladies  often  apply  for  a  divorce  upon  the  most  frivolous  ex- 
cuse, that  they  may  have  him  plead  their  cause.  Small  and 
Twombly  entered  into  partnership,  and  hang  out  their 
shingle  in  Vassalborough.  Their  office  is  near  that  of  the 
undertaker,  while  they  have  an  interest  in  the  livery  stable  ; 
they  are  doing  &  flourishing  business.  Ayers  had  charge  of 
the  Church  at  Meriden  for  a  number  of  years,  but  fell 
into  the  snares  of  a  gushing  widow,  who  like  the  relict  of 
John  Rogers,  had  nine  small  children  and  one  at — school  in 
the  place.  She  proposed  to  our  Classmate,  and  his  tender 
heart  could  ne'er  withstand  her  touching  cry  ;  he  married 
her,  since  which  time  nothing  has  been  heard  of  him  ;  it  is 
supposed  that  he  took  her  name,  and  was  thus  lost — not  to 
his  family,  but  to  us. 

Emma's  "flaming  nose  he  saw  with  consternation, 

And  back  to  hell  his  way  did  take, 

For  the  devil  thought  by  a  slight  mistake 

It  was  the  general  conflagration." 

I  would  not  intimate  that  Emerson  drinks,  for  he  does 
not,  though  he  was  known  to  have  a  bottle  of  hard  cider  in 


28  PROrHECIES. 


his  room  once  while  in  College — only  this  and  nothing  more. 
The  most  plausible  account  given  of  this  jolly  red  nose,  is 
that  it  must  he  the  reflection  of  the  blushes,  emanating 
from  the  cheeks  of  the  fair  ladies  under  his  charge,  for  he 
is  at  the  head  of  Grlenwood  Female  Seminary  at  Brattle- 
boro.   He  gives  eminent  satisfaction,  especially  to  his  pupils. 

'Tis  said  "  Swans  sing  before  they  die — 'twere  no  bad  thing, 
Did  certain  persons  die  before  they  sing." 

So  'twas  thought  of  Bliss  our  class  poet,  whose  eloquent  effu- 
sion on  this  occasion  may  be  ascribed  to  the  excellent  nat- 
ural leaf  from  which  his  inspiration  was  drawn, — purchased 
at  the  expense  of  Blanchard.  Inspired  by  a  pipe  of  navy 
he  soared  off  into  the  infinitude  of  space,  and  was  lost  to 
view  ;  soon  after  Prof.  Chandler  discovered  a  new  planet, 
which  he  declares  he  recognizes  as  our  lost  poet. 

Smith  "  threw  physic  to  the  dogs/'  and  opened  a  hotel. 
He  would  have  succeeded  admirably,  but  he  kept  a  temper- 
ance house.  Howe,  opened  opposite  him  with  a  well  stock- 
ed bar,  and  soon  Smith's  shutters  went  up,  whether  from 
bankruptcy  or  disgust  he  never  told,  though  from  external 
evidence  the  latter  seemed  the  more  probable.  In  a  trip 
through  New  England  in  the  summer  of  '87,  I  stopped  over 
nightin  Fryeburg,  where  I  met  Hill,  the  "Aaron  Burr'  of  our 
class.  He  was  about  to  lead  to  the  hymenial  altar,  \\h  fourth 
wife,  whose  sparkling  eye,  and  dimpled  cheek  betokened  the 
fact,  that  Hill  had  lost  none  of  that  instinct  which  charac- 
terized his  younger  days;  he  greeted  me  with  that  same 
warm  cordiality  which  was  always  his  wont — "By  Jimmy 
Condit,  how  are  you?"  Upon  the  review  of  the  years  that 
had  passed,  I  discovered  that  he  had  prospered  well  in  his 
chosen  profession,  and  I  judged  he  had  done  well  in  the  mat- 
rimonial line. 

A  great  mystery,  hanging  like  a  cloud  of  night  over  the 
world  has  been  solved.  In  the  spring  of  '67,  I  received  a 
letter  from  Goffstown,  enquiring  if  I  had  seen  anything  of 
Blaisdell ;  he  had  disappeared  the  previous  fall,  since  which 
time  nothing  had  been  heard  from  him.  It  was  thought  he 
might  have  gone  West.  Last  May,  while  the  house  which  he 
ipied  was  undergoing  repairs,  in  the  garret,  in  the  midst 
of  rubbish,  our  classmate  was  found  sleeping  as  calmly  as  a 
new  born  babe.  He  was  awakened  from  his  Kip  Van  Winkle 
slumbersand  brought  to  the  light  of  day.  From  the  marvelous 
st ones  of  his  dreams  which  he  relates,  it  appears  his  meta- 
physical acumen  is  still  unimpaired,  and  he  has  fully  demon- 
strated fco  the  world  that  the  mind  is  always  conscious  while 


PROPHECIES.  29 


asleep  ;  at  least  no  one  will  doubt  but  that  he  was  in  that 
soporific  state.  A  storm  is  brewing,  though  now  it  blows 
but  a  gentle  Gale,  whose  whispering  zephyrs  cross  my  path, 
and  our  eleventh  hour  man  is  ushered  into  view.  Gale  was 
never  called  lazy,  but  he  always  seemed  to  consider  it  a  vir- 
tue to  be  just  a  little  late.  After  leaving  College,  he  imitated 
the  illustrious  Micawber,  and  waited  for  something  to  turn 
up,  but  finally  succeeded  in  getting  a  school  by  being  on 
hand  just  in  the  nick  of  time,  when  a  teacher  was  wanted. 
He  is  married,  though  he  proposed  to  three  different  ladies, 
just  after  some  one  else  had  been  accepted.  His  last  proposal 
was  to  a  widow  whose  husband  was  killed.  Gale,  as  soon  as 
he  heard  the  news,  laid  the  matter  before  her  for  considera- 
tion, to  which  in  due  course  of  time  she  returned  a  propi- 
tious reply.  Anderson  has  devoted  his  labor  to  the  study 
of  the  abstruse  problems  of  nature,  and  has  arrived  at  the 
conclusion,  that  the  earth  is  a  hollow  and  nearly  spherical 
body,  inhabited  inside  and  out;  this  idea  is  wholly  original 
with  him,  having  attained  it  after  years  of  close  study  and 
reflection,  and  wholly  ignorant  of  the  fact,  that  John  Merrill 
published  a  volume,  about  the  year  1860,  proving  the  same 
theory.  Page  migrated  to  Alaska,  where  he  created  a  great 
sensation  among  the  natives,  with  his  patent  spring  heel  boots 
and  gorgeous  display  of  neckties.  Johnnie  found  the  sweets 
of  single  blessedness  bitter  to  the  taste,  and  felt  the  need 
of  some  tender  heart  to  get  up  cold  mornings  to  build  the 
fire,  so  he  took  unto  him  one  of  the  virgins  of  the  land,  in 
whose  docile  nature  he  found  an  apt  pupil.  He  is  in  part- 
nership with  Hathaway.  We  turn  a  Page,  and  come  to  a 
Campbell.  Cassius,  faithful  to  his  youthful  passion,  deter- 
mined to  die  by  Su(s)ie'(s)  side,  but  "varium  et  mutabile 
semper  femina" 

"  She  whispering  I  will  ne'er  consent,  consented," 

although  she  declared  from  the  very  first  she  didn't  like  him; 
he  occupies  a  professor's  chair  in  Andover  Theological  Sem- 
inary. John  Lord,  after  a  long  debate  between  lying  and 
preaching,  studied  theology,  and  following  the  bent  of  his 
youthful  inclinations,  emigrated  to  Utah.  He  subscribes  at 
least  to  a  part  of  their  doctrines.  Our  worthy  Marshal, 
who  sits  blushing  before  you  to-day,  the  Van  of  our  class, 
adorns  the  alderman's  chair  in  New  York  City,  surrounded 
by  all  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  his  position.  He  sways 
his  mitre  with  impartial  hand.  His  connection  with  the  D. 
B's.,  which  I  am  happy  to  state  has  been  severed,  sometimes 


30  PROPIIECIES. 


creates  him  a  little  trouble;  when  an  old  acquaintance  is 
brought  before  him,  his  heart  for  a  moment  wavers,  but  his 
conscience  triumphs. 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure,  though  mingled  with  pain,  to 
think  that  Chandler  should  be  so  disappointed — to  say  that 
Noyes  carried  off  the  silver  cup,  completing  his  list  of  Col- 
lege honors — the  knife,  spoon,  and  the  cup,  all  justly  merit- 
ed. The  Bluff  is  what  gained  him  the  latter.  He  visited 
the  beach,  as  was  his  custom,  the  Summer  of  graduation.  He 
met  Florence,  the  heroine  of  1866,  whom  he  rescued  from 
a  watery  grave  in  the  briny  deep.  She  fell  upon  his  neck 
and  in  accents  wild  informed  him  that  the  fond  parient  had 
kept  his  promise,  that  he  had  departed  this  mundane  sphere, 
and  had  left  half  of  his  property — five  hundred  thousand 
dollars, — to  Kaymond  Noyes,  in  consideration  of  his  gallant 
conduct  in  rescuing  his  daughter  from  the  perils  of  the  deep. 
He  also  left  a  request  that  they  should  unite  their  fortunes. 
Rosey  immediately  closed  the  bargain,  and  now  lives  in 
Boston,  keeping  the  finest  stud  of  horses  in  the  city. 
Some  time  ago  he  p^iented  Dartmouth  College  with 
twenty  thousand  dollars,  the  interest  to  defray  the  expenses 
of  a  band  for  Commencement.  We  have  a  small  pile  of  Wood, 
but  like  the  widow's  cruise,  it  is  destined  to  last  a  long  time. 
He  has  been  laboring  as  a  missionary  in  Coos  county  for  the 
past  ten  years,  and  as  a  precursor  of  the  advance  in  civilization 
which  that  benighted  region  has  reached  during  his  labors, 
I  may  state,  that  last  spring,  seven  out  of  the  eight  voters 
polled  the  republican  ticket:  appearances  bear  a  hopeful 
aspect.  Blanchard,  abjuring  all  puritanical  notions,  has 
turned  Chinaman,  married  to  a  lady  of  high  rank  of  that 
race.  He  wears  his  pigtail,  and  has  hopes  of  becoming 
Tycoon  some  day.  Chandler,  though  he  did  not  get  the  sil- 
ver cup,  congratulates  himself  that  he  would  have  been  en- 
titled to  two,  but  for  the  coup  de  mam  of  Noyes.  He  is  now 
superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  in  Ohio.  While  pass- 
ing through  Marshall,  Michigan,  my  attention  was  at- 
tracted by  the  sign — A  Brown  Cook,  the  enemy  of  all  hu- 
man diseases;  cure  guaranteed  or  no  pay;  limbs  amputated 
without  pain,  &c. — Asa  is  still  an  old  maid,  and  always  gets 
into  bed  left  foot  first.  Hale  was  for  a  time  Conductor  on 
a  line  of  horse  Cars  between  Hanover  and  West  Lebanon, 
though  he  now  runs  an  independent  line  of  omnibuses,  as 
by  sonic  means,  of  which  /  am  unacquainted,  he  discovered 
the  young  ladies  always  Liked  a  ubus"  when  they  went  out. 
Curtis,  surnamed  the  Beau,  lured  into  forge tfulness  of  the 


PROPHECIES.  31 


outer  world,  charmed  by  the  unfading  beauties  of  our  sylvan 
retreat,  where  the  evergreens  bloom  in  perennial  verdure, 
with  that  Grace  which — 

"Age  cannot  wither — nor  custom  stale 
Her  infinite  variety," 

reposed  a  year  in  luxurious  ease.  He  is  now  at  the  head  of 
an  extensive  Iron  Foundry  in  Toledo,  Ohio.  I  will  say  for 
the  benefit  of  Smith,  that  he  is  married  and  content  with 
the  angel  of  his  choice,  the  one  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
ninety-ninth. 

Hughes  has  amassed  a  large  fortune  and  gained  a  reputa- 
tion equal  to  that  of  G-ough,  in  delivering  his  chamber  lec- 
ture. He  used  to  remark  that  he  was  following  in  the  foot- 
steps of  that  illustrious  orator,  as  he  used  to  deliver  chamber 
lectures  and  get  beastly  drunk.  I  don't  believe  J  AD. 
meant  to  include  the  latter  statement.  Bennett  would  have 
been  on  the  floor  of  Congress  long  before  this,  having  been 
a  candidate  for  that  honor  several  times,  but  for  his  unfor- 
tunate marriage.  He  was  mated  to  a  lady,  whom  he  wooed  for 
her  money,  and  thus  cast  a  blight  upon  all  his  schemes  of 
ambition.  She  makes  him  do  her  bidding,  nor  will  she  allow 
him  to  associate  with  the  common  herd  so  necessary  to  the 
political  life.  Cushing,  though  Frank  in  his  Senior  year, 
discovered  his  FranJc-ness  unsuited  to  the  prosperity  which 
he  hoped  to  attain,  and  he  returned  to  the  modest  preten- 
tions of  his  Sophomore  year,  and  from  the  frequent  squalls 
heard  nightly  beneath  his  roof,  one  may  judge  with  what 
success  his  efforts  were  crowned;  he  taught  school,  notwith- 
standing his  antipathy  for  the  calling  and  from  some  unac- 
countable reason  became  attached  to  it.  At  the  last  annual 
Commencement  he  was  inaugurated  President  of  Dartmouth 
College.  Although  I  never  ascertained  definitely  the  fact, 
from  a  remark  made,  I  always  supposed  Hal.  Clark  belonged 
to  the  uLone  Star"  society  and  was  the  member  designated 
— "the  charming  leg."  However  that  may  be,  he  is  now  prac- 
ticing law  in  California,  and  adding  to  his  store  of  worldly  pelf 
by  giving  a  few  select  scholars  lessons  in  vocal  music.  Hath- 
away who  in  the  halcyon  days  of  his  College  course,  built 
lofty  air  castles  for  the  future,  the  inspiration  whereof  was 
found  in  communion  with  familiar  spirits,  recently  made  a 
short  speech  in  the  legislature  of  Alaska,  of  twenty-three 
hours  and  thirty  minutes.  I  regret  that  lam  unable  to  give  you 
the  speech  in  full;  the  reporters  all  fell  asleep,  as  did  also  the 
audience,  and  the  main  portion  of  his  effort  was  lost.  I  re- 
frain  from   giving  a   part,   as  it  would  only  be  a  til  bit  to 


32  PROPHECIES. 


make  you  crave  for  more.  Classmates :  my  prophetic  vision 
is  ended,  I  have  disclosed  to  you  a  future,  but  remember  my 
decrees  are  not  irrevocable;  if  you  would  change  the  destiny 
I  have  marked  out  for  you,  it  must  be  done  by  your  own 
efforts.  Arise  then  to  the  reality  of  the  life  that  awaits 
you. 

"  Ah  !  who  can  tell  how  hard  it  is  to  climb 

The  steep  where  fame's  proud  temple  shines  afar." 

There  is  work  for  you  to  do,  but  others  have  climbed  the 
hill  and  why  should  you  falter?  We  are  soon  to  leave  the 
shades  of  old  Dartmouth.  Ere  that  sun  which  now  gilds  yon 
mountain  tops  with  its  golden  shadows,  shall  have  sped 
'round  twice  in  his  course  and  left  the  world  in  darkness, 
our  College  days  will  be  ended — we  shall  bid  each  other  fare- 
well. Our  paths  in  life  will  be  widely  separated,  and  we  can 
scarcely  expect  that  we  shall  all  meet  together  again,  but 
the  memories  of  our  College  days  will  ever  cling  to  us  as  a 
bright  memento  of  the  past.  We  now  stand  in  the  portals 
of  a  new  life;  it  is  but  just  begun;  let  us  meet  its  battles 
bravely,  and  like  men.     Dame  fortune  beckons  us  on;  then 

Defer  not  till  to-morrow  to  be  wise, 
To-morrow's  sun  to  thee  may  never,  rise. 

I  shall  not  weary  you  with  advice,  knowing  how  true  it 
is,  that  if  it  prove  good  it  will  be  forgotten;  if  it  prove  bad] 
it  will  be  remembered;  but  I  would  remind  you  of  this  truth, 
"Luck  lies  in  bed  biding  his  time,  while  labor  turns  out  to 
vigorous  work  and  makes  his  fortune. "  Bear  this  in  mind  and 
let  not  a  natural  weariness  o'ercome  you,  nor  permit  indol- 
ence to  be  your  companion. 

"  For  just  experience  tells  in  every  soil, 

That  those  that  think  must  govern  those  that  toil." 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  PRESIDENT, 


By  JOHN  WARD  PAGE,  Montpelier,  Vt. 


Honored  and  Eespected  Sir  : 

When  one  has  taken  passage  upon  a  vessel  which  is  to 
bear  him  from  all  that  he  holds  dear,  turning  to  the  dim 
line  where  the  sea  and  cloud  blend  together,  a  shade  of  sor- 
row flits  across  his  countenance,  and  his  bosom  palpitates 
with  the  rush  of  conflicting  emotions  as  he  utters  a  sad 
farewell. 

So  to-day,  as  we  assemble  to  bid  farewell  to  you,  to 
familiar  scenes  and  old  associations,  before  launching  our 
barks  upon  the  turbulent  sea  of  active  life,  we  experience  a 
deep  regret  that  the  time  draws  nigh  in  which  we  must  sever 
the  ties  that  have  connected  us  with  our  instructors  and  our 
Alma  Mater. 

It  was  our  good  fortune  to  be  the  first  class  that  entered 
these  hallowed  walls 

"  Where  Science  reigns,  and  trees  of  Knowledge  grow," 

after  you  had  assumed  the  guidance  and  control  of  the  insti- 
tution, and  four  years,  amid  these  classic  shades,  have  served 
to  stamp  upon  the  tablets  of  our  hearts  many  a  pleasing 
thought  to  be  treasured  in  the  store  house  of  memory,  and 
have  knit  us  together  as  a  band  of  brothers.  Many  are  the 
changes  that  the  hand  of  time  has  wrought  among  us  !  It  is 
in  vain  that  you  would  seek  some  of  those  familiar  faces 
that  commenced  this  course  with  us. 

Some  have  left  their  Alma  Mater's  side  to  quarry  out 
"  Life's  uncertain  course"  while  two  have  been  gently  wafted 
to  a  happier  clime, 

"  As  flowers  plucked  and  borne  from  earth  away, 
To  smile  and  bloom  in  Heaven's  eternal  day." 

Others  have  joined  our  ranks,  and  together  we  view  the 
happy  years  passed  within  these  college  walls  and  re-enact 


34  ADDRESS    TO   THE   PRESIDENT. 

the  scenes  once  so  new  to  us.  It  is  with  a  deep  and  pro- 
found gratification  we  recall  your  efforts  to  secure  for  us  a 
pleasant,  as  well  as  instructive  course,  and  as  we  step  forth 
from  these  peaceful  walls  to  mingle  in  the  crowds  and  con- 
flicts of  busy  life,  we  shall  remember  that  we  leave  here  a 
shrine,  nestled  among  these  rough  and  rugged  hills,  apart 
from  the  allurements  of  fashionable  and  artificial  life,  around 
which  shall  cluster  hallowed  associations  serving  as  a  magnet 
to  often  remind  us  of  our  instructors  and  our  Alma  Mater 
with  her  time-worn  halls  and  alcoves  filled  with  the  treas- 
ures of  all  ages.  And  if  at  some  future  time  this  class  shall 
be  permitted  to  revisit  these  rock-bound  hills  and  classic 
shades,  they  will  but  yield  to  the  impulse  of  the  heart  in 
greeting  them  as  old  and  well  tried  friends. 

We  know,  Sir,  that  it  has  been  your  aim  to  promote  the 
self-development  of  this  class,  and,  aware  that  the  tempta- 
tions of  intellect  are  not  comparable  to  those  of  dullness, 
you  have  often  dwelt  upon  the  rich  fruits  of  moral  thought- 
fulness,  and  endeavored  to  so  train  us  that,  while  battling 
with  the  trials  of  life,  we  might  form  our  opinions  intelli- 
gently and  entertain  them  decidedly. 

Grasping  the  keys  that  unlock  the  treasure-house  of 
knowledge  and  wisdom,  you  and  your  associate  instructors 
have  been  our  zealous  and  untiring  pioneers,  and,  guiding 
us  through  the  fields  of  classic  lore  and  amid  the  shades  of 
science,  have  taught  us  to  pluck  the 

"Amaranthine  flowers  of  Truth." 

It  has  been  good  for  us  to  be  together  ;  we  have  toiled  in 
the  laboratory  of  Nature — we  have  gone  through  arduous 
duties  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge — we  have  mingled  in 
harmony,  in  joy,  and  now,  like  all  things  else,  these  pleasant 
associations  must  end.  We  bid  adieu,  cherishing  the  kind- 
est feelings  for  the  interest  of  our  Alma  Mater  and  yourself. 
It  is  the  earnest  desire  of  the  class  of  '68,  that  you  may  long 
be  spared  to  watch  over  and  advise  for  the  good  of  the  col- 
lege. It  shall  be  their  prayer  that  success  may  crown  your 
endeavors  ;  that  your  pathway  may  be  illumined  with  the 
rays  of  gladness,  and  when  your  evening  sun  goes  down,  it 
may  be  like  that  in  Eastern  climes  which  knows  no  frown. 

We  part  in  quietness,  expecting  after  a  brief  period  of 
rest,  to  renew  the  struggle  of  life  in  new  and  varied  spheres, 
arjd  bidding  adieu  to  the  cherished  associations  of  our  past, 
we  ask  for  our  future,  the  blessing  of  our  beloved  Alma 
Mater. 


ODE. 


By  J.  HERBERT  TWOMBLY,  Dover. 


Air,  by  c.  H.  M. 

The  golden  hours  have  swiftly  passed, 

Since  first  we  gathered  here  ; 
And  now — in  memory  of  the  past — 

We  pause  to  drop  a  tear. 
Our  Alma  Mater's  cherished  us 

So  tenderly  and  well, 
That  'tis  with  sadden'd  thoughts,  we  must 

Bid  her  a  last  farewell. 

The  same  dear  faces  greet  us  here, 

As  many  times  before  : 
They  seem  to  us  made  doubly  dear, 

Now  college  life  is  o'er  ; 
Yet  some,  alas  !  we  miss  to-day, 

Who  in  our  circle  moved  ; 
They've  gone  to  tread  another  way — 

The  way,  by  God  approved. 

In  sadness  have  we  come  to-day, 

To  sever  all  those  ties 
That  oft'  have  lighted  up  our  way — 

And  will  through  all  our  lives. 
We  soon  must  speak  the  parting  word, 

And  give  the  friendly  hand, 
When  wishes  for  success  are  heard, 

From  all  our  little  band. 

But  Hope  has  shown  us  higher  fields, 

That  in  the  Future  lie  ; — 
Let  Honor,  Truth,  be  on  our  shields 

And  thither  let  us  hie. 
We  meet  again  ?    Ah  !  who  can  tell 

The  scenes  through  which  we  pass  ; 
Place  high  this  motto — guard  it  well — 

"  Be  faithful  to  the  last." 


FAREWELL  ADDRESS  AT  THE  OLD  PINE. 


By  FRANK  M.  BENNETT,  Boston,  Mass. 


Classmates  :  We  stand  upon  the  threshold  of  a  new 
era  in  our  lives  ;  for  ere  the  sun  shall  twice  sink  into  those 
mountain-girdled  chambers  of  the  west  we  shall  have  taken 
our  last  quaff  from  the  golden  cup  of  knowledge,  proffered 
by  the  kind  hand  of  Dartmouth. 

It  is  sad  to  do  almost  anything  for  the  last  time.  The 
hand  of  the  sculptor  trembles  as  it  gives  the  last  touch  to 
the  dumb  marble,  though  that  touch  may  place  a  whis- 
per upon  its  silent  lips,  or  a  smile  upon  its  frozen  cheeks. 
The  mariner,  though  calm  the  sea  and  mild  the  breeze  that 
wafts  him  from  home  and  kindred,  looks  back  with  eyes 
dimmed  with  tears,  upon  his  dear  native  hills  as  one  by  one 
they  slowly  sink  beneath  the  crest  of  the  swelling  deep.  To 
them  he  may  never  return.  The  dearest  ties  are  severed 
perhaps  forever.  Sad  indeed  must  it  be  for  that  lonely 
heart  on  the  lonely  sea  to  say  "farewell!" 

We  are  performing  our  last  duties  as  students  of  honored 
Dartmouth  here  in  the  shade  of  this  pioneer  of  former  days 
rearing  its  branches  green  and  beautiful  toward  the  silent 
heavens — 

"  The  sole  survivor  of  a  race 

Of  giant  pines,  where  once  the  wood 
Jiang  with  the  battle  or  the  chase." 

This  is  our  last  farewell — our  last  fond  meeting.  Let  our 
failing  words  be  such  as  come  from  hearts  united  by  the 
kindest  feelings — such  as  shall  ever  whisper  in  memory's  ear 
in  accents  soft  as  the  murmurs  in  the  boughs  o'er  our  heads. 
I/l  do  cloud  wrap  this  hour's  work  in  even  a  shadow  of 
gloom,  but  may  what  wc  say  and  do  here  serve  to  brighten 
all  our  In  in  re  (lays. 


FAREWELL   ADDRESS   AT   THE    "  OLD   PINE."  37 

Our  hope  of  remembrance  and  our  desire  to  remember  our 
friends  and  benefactors  are  among  the  noblest  sentiments 
that  exalt  our  being  This  common  feeling  of  humanity — 
few  are  so  humble  as  to  sink  below — none  so  exalted  as  to 
rise  above.  The  thought  of  being  forgotten  is  the  death- 
knell  of  the  spirit.  Though  our  bodies  moulder  we  would 
have  our  memories  live.  We  would  leave  some  monument 
to  tell  others  that  we  have  been.  The  shipwrecked  sailor, 
thrown  on  a  shore  where  eye  of  man  never  lightened,  before 
he  scoops  in  the  burning  sand  his  last  sad  resting  place, 
scratches  on  a  fragment  of  his  shattered  bark  the  record  of 
his  fate,  in  the  melancholy  hope  that  it  may  some  day  be 
repeated  to  the  dear  ones  who  have  long  looked  out  in  vain 
for  his  coming.  The  laureled  warrior  beneath  whose  mighty 
foot  crowns  have  crumbled,  and  whose  hand  has  divided  em- 
pires, when  he  sinks  on  the  red  field  of  victory,  and  life  is 
flying  from  his  quivering  limbs,  turns  his  last  mortal  thought 
on  that  posthumous  life,  written  upon  his  country's  brightest 
page.  That  remembrance  we  so  ardently  desire  we  gladly 
render  unto  others  :  To  our  college,  our  instructors,  our 
friends,  and  all  that  association  can  render  dear.  These  we 
would  gladly  remember,  and  will  give  them  a  place  in  our 
hearts,  from  which  they  shall  never  be  torn. 

Turn  back  a  leaf  in  our  history.  Four  years  ago  we  left 
our  pleasant  homes  for  this  chosen  retreat  of  learning  and 
refinement.  Bloodshed  and  confusion  were  scattered  through- 
out our  land — the  wheels  of  ambition's  cruel  chariot  were 
reeking  in  the  blood  of  Freedom's  noble  sons — Tyranny  and 
Treason  had  erected  a  thousand  gory  altars  on  as  many 
battle  fields.  Many,  I  dare  say,  would  have  joined  us  who 
fell  victims  to  their  cruel  flames — many  o'er  whose  lonely 
graves  wild  flowers  are  now  blooming,  had  not  war's  ruthless 
heel  trampled  them  in  the  dust,  would  be  here  to-day. 
They  have  fallen  !     Yes,  they  have  fallen  ! 

"  Low  in  glory's  lap  they  lie. 

Though  they  fell,  they  fell  like  stars, 
Flashing  splendor  through  the  sky." 

Could  our  tongue  call  them  from  the  dust,  we  would  gladly 
clasp  their  hands  ;  but  that  glorious  slumber  the  eloquence 
of  angels  alone  shall  disturb.  Too  calm  is  that  rest  to  be 
broken  by  the  sweetest  harmonies  of  earth.  They  have  gone 
to  their  rest !  Their  warfare  is  over !  Theiritriumph  com- 
plete ! 

From  their  example  we  can  learn  this  precious  lesson  : — 
That  to  live  for  our  fellow  men  is  the  noblest  boon  given  to 


38      FAREWELL  ADDRESS  AT  THE  "  OLD  PINE." 

mortals — to  die  in  the  cause  of  truth  is  Heaven's  most 
acceptable  sacrifice.  Then  may  this  be  our  epitaph,  not 
chiseled  on  perishing  marble,  but  engraved  in  the  hearts  of 
a  grateful  people — They  lived  that  error  might  die — they 
died  that  truth  might  live. 

A  blest  eternity  should  always  be  the  goal  for  which  we 
strive,  for  earthly  hopes,  however  bright,  how  soon,  alas  !  are 
blasted.  One  from  our  number  has  already  left  these  hal- 
lowed bowers  of  learning  for  "  life's  golden  shore."  While 
we  mourn  his  loss,  we  rejoice  at  his  victory  in  that  last  con- 
flict where  triumph  is  crowned  with  eternal  life.  Sherman 
sleeps  !  he  sleeps  in  a  Christian's  grave.  In  the  sincerity  of 
hope  and  the  serenity  of  a  heavenly  peace  he  sighed  his 
weary  soul  away.  We  may  erect  a  monument  to  tell  others 
where  he  rests — it  will  perish  !  We  may  extol  his  life  with 
fitting  eulogies — they  will  be  forgotten  !  The  noblest  and 
most  enduring  tribute  we  can  bear  to  his  memory  will  be 
like  him  to 

"  So  live,  that  sinking  on  that  last  long  sleep, 
We  then  may  smile   while  all  around  us  weep." 

Classmates  :  A  new  world  lies  before  us  ;  but  one  step 
forward  and  we  are  in  that  world.  We  go  forth  from  yonder 
halls  single  handed  to  fight  our  own  battles  ;  though  our 
arm  be  weak,  or  our  position  humble,  each  can  live  a  noble 
life.  Each  one  can  add  something  to  the  cause  of  Justice 
and  Truth;  for  the  civilization  and  progress  of  six  thousand 
years  have  brought  neither  the  one  to  perfection  nor  removed 
all  mystery  from  the  other.  The  age  demands  busy  hands, 
busy  brains  and  earnest  hearts.  It  requires  no  mean  talents 
to  keep  pace  with  the  march  of  improvement,  but  none  need 
despair  of  success.  What  we  want  in  nature  can  be  made 
up  by  industry.  The  richest  harvests  are  gathered  from  the 
most  carefully  cultivated  fields.  Then  if  you  possess  but  one 
talent,  by  no  means  hide  that  one  in  a  napkin.  Let  no 
one  waste  an  idle  breath  or  an  empty  sigh  on  what  he  might 
have  been  under  kinder  auspices  :  for  by  improving  every 
power  lie  can  become  a  whole  man,  wanting  nothing,  Totus, 
teres  atque  rotundus. 

Classmates  :  Our  course  is  done  !  The  shade  of  the 
past  is  creeping  upon  our  last  moments  here.  How  truly, 
with  Bryant,  may  we  exclaim — 

"  Thou  unrelenting  past! 

Strong  are  the  barriers  round  thy  dark  domain, 
And  fetter  i,  sure  and  fast, 

Hold  all  that  enter  thy  unbreathing  reign." 


FAREWELL  ADDRESS  AT  THE  "  OLD  PINE."      39 

And  now,  Dartmouth,  queen  of  the  mountains,  farewell  I 
Instructors,  students,  friends,  and  ye  "  hills 

Rock-ribbed  and  ancient  as  the  sun  ;  ye  vales 
Stretching  in  pensive  quietness  between  ; 
Ye  venerable  woods ;  ye  rivers  that  move 
In  majesty  ;  and  ye  complaining  brooks, 
That  make  the  meadows  green," — 

We  bid  you,  one  and  all— FAREWELL  ! 


GRADUATING 

CLASS. 

Anderson,  David  Allen, 

Goffstown. 

Ayers,  Walter  Howard, 

Canterbury. 

Bennett,  Francis  Marion, 

Boston,  Mass. 

Blaisdell,  Kimball  Foster, 

Goffstoivn. 

Blanchard,  George  Adams, 

Placerville,  Cal. 

Bliss,  Henry  Clay, 

Hartford,  Vt. 

Campbell,  Cassius  Samuel, 

Windham. 

Chandler,  Charles  Henry, 

New  Ipswich. 

Clark,  Henry  Salter, 

Manchester. 

Cochran,  Frederic  Gove, 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Condit,  Aaron  Dayton, 

Terre  Haute,  Ind. 

Cook,   Asa  Brown, 

Marshall,  Mich. 

Curtis,  Erskine  Chamberlin, 

Mount  Vernon,  0. 

Cushing,  Edward  Abbott, 

Barnston,  P.  Q. 

Emerson,  Charles  Franklin, 

Chelmsford,  Ms. 

Gale,  Eugene  Beauharnais, 

North  Haverhill. 

Hale,  Charles  Goodwin, 

Hanover. 

Hathaway,  Fernando  Cortez, 

Hardwich,  Vt. 

Hill,  Benjamin  Mead, 

Chatham, 

Howe,  Charles  Marion, 

Iowa  City,  la. 

Hughes,  James  Alexander  Dupee, 

Hanover. 

Lord,  John  King, 

Montpelier,  Vt. 

Noyes,  Raymond, 

Plaistow. 

Page,  John  Ward, 

Montpelier,  Vt. 

Ranney,  Ambrose  Loomis, 

New   York  City. 

Small,  Elmer, 

Vassalborouyh,  Me. 

Smith,  Edwin  Everett, 

Hanover. 

Twombly,  John  Herbert, 

Dover. 

Vanderpoel,  George  Burritt, 

New  York  City, 

Wis;';,  Colin  Bi 

Penfield,   Oa. 

Wise,  Henry  Andrew, 

(i         ii 

Wood,  Franklin  Parker, 

• 

Haverhill. 

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UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 


3  0112  110180954 


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